Students at Oak Park High School brew up smiles while learning life skills

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oak Park High School partnered with local coffee company, Mother Earth Coffee, to open a student-run coffee shop inside the high school. Mother Earth Coffee, which is roasted in Kansas City’s Crossroads District, provided the training and features its products in the mini-coffee shop with an objective to provide a personalized learning experience for its academically at-risk students.

Operated each school day morning inside the concession stand and under the supervision of teachers Jamie McSparin and Kelsey Mayabb, the coffee shop provides a menu of hot cocoa, coffees and flavored syrups.

A small class of students are responsible for brewing and serving the coffee as well as developing and creating marketing materials.

Assistant Principal Chad Valadez was thrilled to approve this new project for the school.

“The program is a way for students to engage in real life experiences that they can use outside of the classroom and after graduation,” said Valadez. “We’ve seen a spike in attendance and these student have even turned their grades around. We have kids that were failing several classes who are back in the classroom with improved grades.”

Sydney, a student and enthusiastic participant, was one of those struggling students only a few months ago. When asked what she enjoys most, she said, “I love that it has brought together kids who normally wouldn’t be together. There is a very happy atmosphere when we are here. We’re always laughing.”

The idea for the Oak Perk Coffee Shop was conceived by teachers McSparin and Mayabb to be a constructive outlet for students to build and practice useful life skills like responsibility, customer service, dedication, and (of course) how to brew a great cup of coffee.

Oak Perk Coffee Shop menu is limited, for now. Students have already expanded the menu with an original recipe for a Mocha. They hope to expand the offerings to include cold and blended beverages as the coffee shop continues to grow.

Recently the students were able to see the Mother Earth Coffee roasting facility in production as part of a special field trip. They also observed professional baristas at work during a visit to the newest Mother Earth Coffee Shop in Hyde Park of Kansas City.